24 
NATURE 
[WVoo. 3, 1882 
Cy9HyN.O. The author found it, simultaneously with cincho- 
nine, in a very dense dark brown-red bark, of resinous fracture, 
from Santander; there being o°$ to I per cent. of cinchonine, 
and o°2 of the other. It differs from cinchonine in having two 
atoms more of hydrogen.—On the dissociation of carbamate of 
ammonium, by MM. Engel and Moitessier.—On the subcuta- 
necus cacs and the lymphatic sinuses of the cephalic region in 
Rana temporaria, L., by M. Jourdain. He modifies the enumera- 
tion of sacs by Dugés, and indicates some relations hitherto over- 
looked. Jnver atta, the lingual sinuses, forming cavities which 
communicate with the neighbouring reservoirs only by narrow 
orifices, form a nearly closed system, and M. Jourdain finds 
in this an explanation (different from that of Dugeés) of the 
mechanism by which the tongue, become turgid, is protruded.— 
On a curious case of prefecundation observed in a Spionide, 
by M. Giard.—Coptribution to a study of the Flagellata, by M. 
Kamstler. He has observed m Cryf‘omcenas ovata, Ehrbg., 
tran-verse striation of the two flagellums serving for locomotion ; 
also a group of long fine flagellums (hitherto unknown), which 
are also stnated and serve for prehension of focd ; four layers in 
the body-wail, the outer one colourless, the others having 
chlorophyll (their structure is decribed) ; a spacious stomach 
with a sort of vestibule (but no cesophagean tube), intestme, and 
anus ; small organisms therein, proving that Cryptomonas does 
not live on hquid food alone; a pore through which the con- 
tractile vesicle communicates with the exterior ; an organ which 
is pro! a! ly a male apparatus, &c. He also describes the oculi- 
form point in Phacus Pleuronectes, Dugard, which organ he 
develo; ed by cultivation in imtense light. He considers the 
structure to prove its visual function beyond a doubt.—On the 
cause of immunity of adults of the bovine species towards sym- 
ptomatic or bacterian charbon in localities where this malady is 
prevalent, by MM. Arloing, Cornevin, and Thomas. Most of 
the young animals in an infected district are spontaneously 
Moculated with various quantities of the virus, and while those 
receiving much take the disease in fatal form, those receiving 
little have a mild attack, sufficient to insure future immunity. 
M. Bouley remarked on the bearing of hereditary influences, 
and M. Pasteur on the error of supposing that young animals 
had a vreater aptitude to receive contagion. 
Octoher 24. M. Wurtz in the chair.—The following papers 
were read :—Detonation of acetylene, cyanogen, and endo- 
thermal combinations in general, by M. Berthelot. Gases formed 
with absorption of heat (acetylene, &c.), which do not detonate 
under simple heating, may be brought to explosion through 
sudden shock (e.g. through fulminate of mercury); this shock 
acts only on acertain layer of gaseous molecules, communicating 
enormous kinetic energy ; the molecular edifice loses its relative 
stability and falls to pieces, and the initial energy is instantly 
increased by that corresponding to heat of decomposition of the 
gas. Hence a new shock produced on the next layer, which 
causes the same decomposition, and so on, to total destruction 
of the system.—On a general determination of the tension and 
volume of saturated vapours, by M. Clausius.—On an apparatus 
for determining, without pain to the patient, the position of a 
projectile of lead or other metal in the human bedy, by Prof. 
Bell. This is a modification of Hughes’ induction-balance. One 
flat coil is superposed on another, so that the edge of the former 
is near the axis of the latter. One has thick wire, and is the 
primary circuit, the other has thin wire, and is the secondary. 
The two are dipped in paraffin and fixed in a wocden frame 
with handle. A vibratory current from a battery traverses the 
primary coil, and a telephone is put in circuit with the other. 
When the common part of the two coils comes near a metallic 
body silence gives place in the telephone to a sound which varies in 
intensity according to the nature and form of the body. It is found 
advantageous to insert in the two circuits two other coils similar 
to the first, but much smaller, and the common surface of which 
can be altered with a micrometric screw ; also to insert an 
electrostatic capacity in the primary.—On the parasitic nature 
of disorders arising from impaludism, by M. Leverson. The 
efficiency of sulphate of quinine as an antidote is thus accounted for 
(various parasitic elements in the blood are described).—Note 
on the quality of waters of the Isére as regards the project of 
an irrigation-canal from the Rhone. Owing to the presence of 
salts of soda and magnesia in considerable quantity, the water of 
the I-ére is absolutely unfit for irrigation.—On a configuration 
of fifieen circles, and on the linear congruences of circles in 
space, by M. Stephanos.—On the mathematical theory of the 
vibratory movement of bells, by M. Mathieu.—On the electro- 
| different metals, by M. Richet. 
lysis of water, by M. Tommasi. A zinc-copper or zinc-carbon 
element, immersed in dilute sulpburie acid, does not decompose 
water, conformably to theory, if the two electrodes are of 
platinum. For this decomposition to take place, the positive 
electrede must be formed of a metal which, under influence of 
the voltaic current, can combine with the oxygen of the water.— 
On a proportion-compass (4eussole de proportion) for measure- 
ment of resistances, by M. Carpentier. Suppose on the surface 
of a sphere, the vertical diameter of which is taken as polar 
axis, two similar circuits along two meridians at right angles to 
each other. Currents along these circuits affect a small mag- 
netic needle hung at the centre of the sphere, which needle sets: 
in the direction of the resultant of the two forces. This depends 
on the ratio of the intensities, and this ratio of the strength of 
one component to that of the other is precisely measured by the 
trigonometric tangent of the angle formed by the resultant with 
the other component, For mea-urement of resistances a current 
is made to divide between the circuits, and of course does so 
equally. Then the resistance to be measured is added to one 
circuit, and the current then divides inversely as the resistances. 
Two ways are indicated of eliminating the influence of terrestriab 
magnetism.— On the variation of the annual number of thunder- 
storms at Rio de Janeiro, by M. Cruls. In the period 1851— 
1876 (during which the annual number of thunderstorms is 
found to vary between eleven and forty-nine), he makes out a 
close correspondence between the curve of storms and that of 
solar spots. A curve for Toronto shows the same thing, though 
less distinctly. M. Faye expressed a feeling of reserve as to this 
correspondence The period of spots could be reproduced im 
that of thunderstorms only if the spots sensibly affected the heat 
sent us by the sun; but no trace of an eleven-years’ period has 
been found in annual temperatures. The conclusion is that 
solar spots and our thunderstorms are not in the relation of 
cause and effect. The correspondence indicated by M. Cruls is 
not sufficient to prove the necessity of finding a connection 
between the two phenomena.—On a new hydrate of carbon, by 
M. Morelle. He calls it dergentte instead of bergenin, the name 
given (1850) by its discoverer, M. Garreau, who did not study it 
very fully. It is got from Siberian saxifrage. M. Morelle 
arrives at the formula C,,(C,H,O,); (which corresponds to 75°75 
per cent. of acetic acid). is a pentatomic alcohol, ranking 
with pinite and quercite.—On the comparative toxicity of 
Instead of injecting, he 
rendered the medium poisonous (e.g. the water for a fish). He 
named the /imit of toxictty the quantity of poison per litre of 
water, allowing a fish to live more than forty-eight hours. Thus 
he shows that there is no precise relation between the atomic 
weight, or the chemical function of a body, and its toxical power. 
—Researches on the circulatory system of Sfatengus purpurense 
by M. Kiehler. 
CONTENTS 
A Recent “Finn” ix British Par sontTowocy. 
Geixre, F.R.S. . . 
Pact 
By Prof Arcu. 
Tue Heap-Hunters oF Borngo. By AtFrep R. WALLACE . . . 3 
BUTESERLIES!S/ =o Goan) i) els aan) ot be ee 5 
Our Book SHELF :— 
“ Fhe Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science”. . . . . . 6 
Tyndall's “« Essays on the Floating-Matter of the Air in Relation to 
Purrefactioniandinfectiorrs: |=) 0.) is) Gl eles inasihs nnn 
LETTERS To THE EpiItoR:— 
The Struggle of Parts in the Organism.—The Duxe of Arcytt, 
F.R-S.; Dr. Witttam B. Carpenter, C.B.,F.RS.. .... 6 
An Alleged Diminution im the Size of Men’s Heads.—Dr. W. B. 
Kesteven « = 2 fs ws (<5 ophs SRieene ee 
The Evolution of the Paleozoic Vegetation.—J.S.GARDNER . . 8 
The Teaching of Practical Biology.—F. JEFFREY Bett . ... 8 
The Igneous Rocks of Iceland.—A. J. HupBARD. . . .... 8 
Replacing Flint Flakes.—F. ARCHER . . . ~ . . ee ee 8 
Climate of Atacama.—HYpE CLARKE . 4. “eg: angel cate ie etal 9 
Tue Autumn Sky, I. By Rev. T. W. Were (With Diagrams) . 9 
METEOROLOGY oF Bsn Nevis. By ALexanpDeER Buchan (With 
Eluctsatiens) 3) je eho «3.5 2 Eee eee 
Tur Erecrric Tramway (Weth Illustrations). . . . .. +... 
Tre Botometer (With Diagrams). . « «+. 2.2 «e+ ._-% 
Notes .« o 5 OF SR aes eee 
Our AsTRONOMICAL CoLUMN :— 
The Binary Stary Virginis. . . ....- ay rage ‘ne 
The Transit of Mercury, November8 . . . 2. - - - = + + 19 
Comet 1881 (Denning). . Selgery hee ° 
Guocmirmicac Nexmetig vse) 2.6 2 io seen ane 
Lunar DisturBance oF Gravity. By G. H. Darwin, FERS. . . 20 
Aw Error InN THE COMMONLY ACCEPTED THEORY OF CuEMiISTRY. By 
Prof. A. W. Wii.iaMson, F.R-S, 
Jurassic Birps AND THEIR ALLIES. By Prof. ‘0.C. Mars ed = 
Scrumwrmic SERIALS «© . . « . » © - © ~ s oe | 
Sociucnmsianp ACADEMARS.. <q «) < c's ane » eebewsl eS Powe 
